First Lesson Tomorrow Night

[jab5325]

I finally found a guy to give me a few lessons. Our first is tomorrow night. He used to work at one of the local centers, and has coached youth leagues for many years. He's not certified, but a good bowler in his own right and a father figure to many children in the area. An all-around great dude who knows quite a bit about the game.

I've really been off my game the past 3 weeks. From October through January 6, I only had one series under 575 (and that was in November, a 533, thanks to 7-8 splits that night).

The past 3 weeks, my highest series across all leagues is 521. I bowled a freakin' 125 in a scratch league last week. It was totally and completely embarrassing. The problem I'm having is I keep tugging the ball, each and every shot. I try to work on my footwork/timing, and I still tug it. I've started using the Triax spare system, and I think that'd be a good one for me if I can hit the damn mark. I'm like.....not even close.

What are some good questions to ask for a first lesson? Good things to work on, advice, etc. I've never had an actual lesson before, outside of bowling YABA many, many years ago.

I really don't know what my problem is. In the interest of full disclosure, I'm a big guy. I've lost over 100 pounds recently (diet/exercise), and as you'd expect, that affects things such as movement, gait, stance, etc. I started doing cardio, and at the beginning of January, I added weight training at the local Planet Fitness under a personalized program. I'm not making excuses....hell, there are none for bowling a 125....and I've been exercising/losing weight since October when I was bowling fairly well. Each time I go up, I just feel "off", and I wonder if the weight training has got me messed up. I'm not going to quit doing it by any means (it's been going well--I've been able to consistently increase weight)......but I think my body is doing quite a bit of adjusting.

Also, to top it off.....I missed Thursday night league last week. A guy on my team, who is thumbless, and palms the ball, who has never had a 600 series and had a high game of 225.....THREW A 725 AND A 279. I'm incredibly happy for him. But I kid you not.....he doesn't know a thing about the game, can't make spares, adjust to drier lanes, etc. His average last season was less than 155. He's a great guy and I like him a lot--we're friends. But, I admit to being jealous. My high game is 277, and I only have one 700. I'm averaging 184 this season, which is about 10 pins above last year....but I have yet to hit 650 and my high game is 259. It's incredible that he was able to do what he did. I need to not only get my game back, but improve it dramatically.

[Jaescrub]

The best thing to do is have him watch or rec your throwing some shots from the side and back. Then go over in slow mo point out what needs worked on and work on each trouble one at a time. Don't try and work on everything at once some things will fall in line together others you will have to change so thing work on it then work on the next. It takes some time and one lesson is only going to start you in the right path. Take your time and work at it just like how your workouts are going. Thumbs up for you on both fronts!